Thoughts of a Cardmaking Scrapbooker!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy......

Okay admit it, you said it in your best Ricky Ricardo voice didn't ya?

I loved this show growing up! The situations Lucy and Ethel got themselves into cracked me up!

But then again I was easily amused. ;)

2 years ago, I decided to be Lucy for Halloween. I had the "Lucy" wig and everything.

My students got a huge kick out of it!

I used my Cricut and the Suburbia cartridge to cut the retro lady and title. For my circular elements, I used Cricut Fonts and Basic Shapes. It was published in the February issue of Cricut Magazine. :)

See the old fashioned vacuum cleaner? It's not just a cool prop for my picture it is the school's actual working vacuum cleaner......yep, still works. (Maybe it's time to get a new one?) ;)

I used some vintage inspired papers to add to the retro feel of this page.

I can not begin to tell you how happy I am it is Friday! I have a 3 day weekend to look forward to and Cortney has a modeling photo shoot on Sunday!

Life is good! I am blessed!

Have a great weekend my friends!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Sweet Taffy Apple!

Wow! Life has been busy lately! I always thought as the kids got older I'd have more time......I was wrong!

They seem to always need a ride somewhere or have something going on.....

I remind myself that these days are fleeting and to just enjoy it.

Crafting, blogging, whatever else can wait.

And this is the reason for my being away for a few days.

Every now and then I create just for the sake of creating. To rejuvinate my mojo. Finding adorable cuts on Silhouette is one of the ways I do that! ;)

Who can resist a delicious taffy apple in fall?

Accented with a couple of pretty sunflowers, rustic twine and glittery Prima leaves. I gave the "caramel" a sheen by adding glossy accents to it. I even left "drip" marks along the right side using extra glossy accents. The sentiment is an SRM sticker and I thought it was perfect for a delicious taffy apple card. ;)

Speaking of sweet and perfect.....

Cortney in her Halloween costume.

She wanted to be a gypsy.

A pretty darn cute gypsy she is!

This is my favorite picture of her. It is just so Cortney.

Her coy little smile......melts my heart.

That's all for today my friends! I am off to get an hour of crafting done while the hubby is golfing and the kids are doing their own thing this evening.

Have a great night!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Crafty Secret's Design Team Challenge and Linky Party!

Today is Crafty Secret's Design Team Challenge and Linky Party! Since it is October and fall has finally shown up to the party, the theme is to create Halloween/Fall project. Easy enough!

I adore Halloween and the crisp fall weather. I love the leaves, the holidays approaching, the pumpkins, the comfort foods.....all of it.

I created these little treat bags using Crafty Secrets Halloween Labels Digital stamps.

I will show you an easy peasy way to run them through your printer.

I gave each sack a little color using my Copic Markers. A peek of a doily, a scattering of black sequins, and you have a pretty bag to put treats into.

I have a folder in Adobe Photoshop for all of my Crafty Secret's digital stamps. I opened up the one I wanted and customized the size. Since these bags are fairly small, I sized them to a 2.5 x 2.5 inches. I printed it first on regular computer paper.

Then I used a low tack artist's tape to secure my bag. I usually hold it up to my desk light just to make sure I've got it properly lined up. (Believe me, a few found there way into the trash because they were a bit wonky!)

Once it printed and I was happy with the alignment I took a pencil and marked the 3 edges of the bag. That makes the next bag I print much much easier to line up!

Those are my "cheaters" lines. :)

Print as many bags as you want. I even switched up the image and my lines still worked!

Grab the colors you want and color away!

I love distressed edges, so I pulled out my Tim Holtz Distress ink out and used a sponge to give a bit of color to the edges.

I followed that up with a bit of black ink.

I always have a large stash of doilies, so I decided I wanted a bit to peek out from the top of the bag. I cut the part off I wanted and glued it into the inside portion of the bag.

I use tacky glue a lot and didn't want the bag to stick together, so I put a piece of plastic packaging behind the doily until it was dry. (It's sad that I can even find a use for plastic packaging... ;)

Fill 'er up with candy corn or whatever small candies you like and voila!

Be sure to visit the other talented design team members. :)

Elizabeth Lincoln

Have a great day my friends!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Bundle of Joy-JustRite's New Release!

Good morning and happy weekend to you!

I have lots to share with you today!

First off I want to introduce you to JustRite's brand new website!

It is beautiful and easy to navigate!

So be sure to pop on over there!

I have two cards today using the last new set of this month's release. It is called Bundle of Joy. It is a beautifully vintage baby set that I know I will be reaching for over and over again!

I decided to make a baby girl card as well as a baby boy card.

My first card was stamped in brown Memento ink. I added a flower that was cut using my Silhouette.

I matted the sweet baby carriage with a brand new die from Spellbinders called Vintage Labels Five. I sponged it with a bit of pink and added pearl details. The glittery corner piece is also by Spellbinders and is called Filigree Corner Die.

I added a satin ribbon and a few sequins here and there to finish it off.

For my second card I used the other pram in the set and also stamped it in brown Memento ink. The button was stamped in a pale blue. I added glossy accents to the button and threaded it with some rustic twine.

The background was done with a Heidi Swapp stencil and texture paste. While it was still wet I sprinkled it with a bit of glitter.

I added some glittery tape to the bottom and just a peek of a doily.

Be sure to stop by and see what these talented ladies have created with this beautiful set!

Have a great weekend!!!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Special Delivery-JustRite's New Release!

I am so thrilled to tell you that JustRite has come out with two new baby sets! The first set is being shown today and it is called Special Delivery. I love that it has a vintage feel to it and has pieces that can be colored. And did I mention the fonts? Such pretty lettering in this set!

To create my card I used this cute baby carriage shaped card from Silhouette.

I added bits of lace, rhinestones, and glossy accents to the wheels.

I stamped the baby rattle on Shrinky Dink material. I gave it a bit of color using my Copics and shrunk 'er down! I stamped the sentiment on a tag I had cut using my Cricut. (Sentimental's cartridge)

I added it to the carriage along with some silk ribbon and a little flower.

Here is the entire beautiful set......

The design team has done an outstanding job of showcasing this set, so be sure to pay them a visit!

I will be back tomorrow with TWO cards using another brand new baby set by JustRite!

Happy Friday everyone!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Ornate Corners-JustRite's New Release!

Don't pass out, but I have TWO cards to share! ( I had to make up for being a slacker yesterday!) ;)

The first card uses JustRite's brand new set called Ornate Corners. I decided to isolate one of the corners and make it my focal image.

Let's say this first card is a total and complete experiment.

I stamped with liquid applique.

yep, weird I know.

I wanted to see what effect would come from it.

It may be difficult to tell in pictures, but the effect is rather cool. It has that touchable texture that makes you want to run your hand over the image.

For the second version of this card, I took a more traditional route. It was stamped in Versamark and embossed in white.

For both cards I added a bit of lace, a doily peeking out from underneath the image, and a little flower to finish it off.

The other gals have such pretty projects to share with you today, so be sure to pay them a visit!

Thank you for stopping by!!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Applesauce Recipe and Apple Picking!

My family and I have been trying really hard to eat healthier, cook more at home, and reduce the amount of gluten we consume. (Cortney however, is gluten free) It has taken a bit more planning and forethought, but I think the results have been worth it. I found this recipe in the Simply Gluten free magazine and thought I'd pass it on to you!

Crock Pot Applesauce.

8 large apples, peeled, cored, and cut into quarters.

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup water

Use a 6 quart slow cooker. Place the apple wedges into the bottom of your cooker. Add the lemon juice and cinnamon. Pour in the vanilla and stir in the sugar and water.

Cover and cook for 4-6 hours. When the apples are super tender, mash with a potato masher or large fork. If you prefer it smoother, puree it in a blender.

I have made this several times and it is delicious!

It helps too that our apples came directly from the apple orchard.

They are juicy and sweet!

Cortney picks the apples from all of the low branches. (with a bit of help from dad!)

I just threw this picture in because I thought she looked rather cute. ;)

I made it my mission to get a decent picture of my two....together.

I would have preferred the 16 year old to have a bit more enthusiasm, but I think I was lucky to get him to cooperate at all!

And getting this guys picture? It's like pulling teeth! I get a lot of loud sighs and eye rolling. I guilted him into taking a few pics by telling him this could be the last time he picks apples with us. He will be going to college in two years and couldn't he please just make his mama happy? ;)

(Hey, a mother's gotta do what a mother's gotta do!)

Seriously handsome kid........

So that's it for me today.

I was a total slacker and didn't get a project done for Day 3 of JustRite's new release.

So be sure to at least pop on over there to see what they've got cookin'!

Happy Wednesday!